The Good News - September 10, 2023

We have lots of great things happening at our school this week. We look forward to meeting families at our Meet the Staff evening on Wednesday. As we journey together this year, we want to encourage our parents to continue connecting, communicating, and sharing in the faith and learning journeys of your children. You are your child’s first teacher and your presence is such an integral part of our school community.

We are here to help make your child's faith and learning journey the best it can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out.

Monday, Sept.11

• Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
  
• Assembly 12:25
  

Tuesday, Sept. 12

• Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
  

Wednesday, Sept. 13

• Meet the Staff BBQ 5:30-6:30
  

• Regular school day

• Terry Fox Run 1:00
  

LOOKING AHEAD:

Sept. 18 - Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45

Sept 18 - First PSC Meeting 6:30 Everyone welcome!

Sept. 19 - Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45
Sept. 21 - Opening Mass at Taurus Field with all Fort Sask. Catholic Schools (10:30am)

Sept. 25 - Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45

Sept. 26 - Sacramental prep with Father Carlos 3:15-3:45

Sept. 29 - Orange Shirt Day

Oct. 2 - Truth and Reconciliation Day- No School

Oct 10 - Fall pictures PreK, KTR-4

Oct 11 - KMW Fall Pictures

On Wednesday, we will meet in the gym at 5:30 for prayer and introductions, then you will be able to go check out your child's classroom, take a tour around the school and grab a hamburger or hotdog outside.

Our Parent Council will also be in attendance to distribute the Box of Cards for their fundraiser (see below).

Terry Fox set the bar high for himself when he started his Marathon of Hope, saying, “Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.” Our school is proudly taking part in this year's Terry Fox School Run to continue Terry's legacy. Please support our school's fundraising efforts to raise much-needed funds for cancer research.

Our school will participate in the Terry Fox run on Friday, September 15 in the afternoon from 1-1:40.

https://schools.terryfox.ca/StJohnXXIIISchoolFortSaskatchewan

Thank you very much for your support!

To better understand how this year's provincial budget has impacted our school district, please visit the Trustee Advocacy page on our website. This page highlights our four key priorities as we continue to engage our elected officials.

The Big Box Fundraiser is back after a successful year!

Please click the box below for details. The profits from this fundraising event will be used to enhance the learning commons in the library. Last year we were able to purchase furniture and update the space.

On September 13th at the BBQ you are able to pick up your family's box or alternatively they will be sent home by Monday, September 18th. The campaign runs from Wednesday, September 13 to Friday, September 29th.

All payments and boxes that you are not keeping are to be returned by Friday, September 29th

If your child will be absent, please email the school at stj@eics.ab.ca or call 780-998-7777 to indicate that a student will be absent or leaving early. When reporting an absence please provide:

1. Student Name (first and last)
2. Reason for absence (illness, flu or other)
3. Duration of absence

If a student is absent without prior parental notice, parents will be prompted by phone or email to contact the school.

Please also notify your teacher with a Dojo message or a note sent with your child.

For any last minute Early Departures, please call the office before you arrive so we can make arrangements for your child to come to the office for pick up.

We are currently in the process of enabling a feature in School Engage (in PowerSchool) for reporting absences. We will keep you updated on this process.

In order for your child to be permitted to use technology in school and participate in field trips, parents must digitally consent to the following:

1. 2023-2024 Responsible Use of Tech Agreement

2. 2023-2024 EICS One to One Use Agreement
3. 2023-2024 Low Risk Field Trip Annual Consent Form
4. 2023-2024 Locker Use Agreement (cubbies at STJ)

In PowerSchool, under the Forms and Fees tab select Yearly Consent. Complete each form and submit on the bottom right.

If you have not, please complete this Data Verification form so we have current contact information for your child. We are required by Alberta Education to update this yearly.

Does your child have medical information, a condition the school should be aware of or require medication? If so please complete a B2.) Medical Status Update/Request for Medical Treatment form located in your Parent Portal under SchoolEngage Student Forms on the left. Then choose Student and a new Medical Form will be available for you to complete. This form is required yearly. We use this important information to alert any staff members, including substitute teachers, of any existing medical needs we need to be aware of. If your child has medication at school (in their backpack or in the office) you must fill out the medical form with all relevant information related to the medication. If you child requires use of an EpiPen, please make sure this is filled out ASAP.

Please note: the submission of a Medical Form is required prior to medication being sent to the school.

To login to your PowerSchool Parent Account, please click on the link below:

https://eics.powerschool.com/

If you need assistance, please click the Medical Form link found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Please do not use the PowerSchool App. Access PowersSchool via the link above, or from the link on the front page of our website.

School fees for the 23-24 school year will be added to your child's PowerSchool account later in September. Please see below for information on the fee waiver process for the 2023-2024 school year.

What is SkipTheDepot? A door-to-door bottle collection service that makes refundable recycling and fundraising easier than 1, 2, 3.

1. Download the app, create an account and book a pickup using the QR code to the right or this link: https://app.skipthedepot.com/eicssjxxiii
2. Place your bags outside (don't forget to label them with your account #)
3. Receive a refund or donate to us! (on the last page of creating your scheduled donation pickup, you can select our school account)

*For future reference, please go to our website under School Council, for the link and instructions on how to support St. John XXIII and PSC through Skip the Depot. .

Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stj.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9526 89 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII